Cased Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge by GWL

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Luftwaffe Awards > Paratrooper Badge

Type A Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe im Etui by Gebruder Wegerhoff of Lüdenscheid. The Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge was awarded to those who had successfully completed the paratrooper training course, consisting of physical and psychological tests along with six qualifying parachute jumps. The two-piece construction badge features a die struck tombak based and fire gold gilded eagle with a die struck zinc based chemically blackened wreath. The oval shaped obverse depicts a diving Luftwaffe eagle, clutching a swastika within its talons, and is above by a blackened half laurel leaf and berry, half oak leaf and acorn wreath. The reverse is maker marked “GWL” and displays the correct; integral stamped hinge, integral stamped catch, nickel-silver round wire pin and two recessed dimple rivets. There is a 1mm crack just above the top rivet, which is common in these. It features a slight warp to the wreath. The badge measures 1 5/8 inches wide by 2 1/8 inches high. The award comes housed in its appropriate GWL issue case. The case is constructed out of a wood and pressed cardboard base that is covered in a simulated grained blue ‘alligator skin’ leather. To the front is a gilded brass round push button. To the back is a gilded steel, staggered, piano hinge. To the top in the gold foil Gothic style script it reads: “Fallschirmschützen = Abzeichen”. The interior of the case is constructed out of a pressed cardboard base that is covered in a spray on light blue fibrous felt. The base has a cut out that outlines the pin, hinge and catch assembly. There are only minor scuffs to the exterior. The case measures approximately 3 1/16 inches wide and deep and 1 inch thick. This case is in very nice condition. It is extremely hard to find this type with the hinge still intact and it still retains some of its original factory spray on felt… A beautiful gilded swastika and detail throughout.